I'm pleased to announce that the New Lines Institute's Crime-Conflict Nexus Portfolio will launch a special new project on 'mafiacracies'. Our March 18th launch event features two panels on Latin American cartels and Russian grayzone criminal activity. Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/new-lines-...

I was interviewed by Al Hadath TV this week regarding the recent strikes on #Iran.

#Israel’s war on #Iran is entering a second phase this week, shifting targeting to underground ballistic missile storage facilities. Iran’s ballistic missile program has been its primary source of retaliation against strikes by the US and Israel.

Reflecting on my interview with NBC News this afternoon regarding the war in #Iran, it has become apparent that strikes by the US and #Israel won’t achieve the regime change they seek. The regime has demonstrated resilience in the wake of the death of Ali Khamenei, forecasting a long road ahead.

I spoke with Asharq News this week about escalating tensions between the US and #Iran. In spite of the military buildup, a direct conflict remains unlikely.

Watch the full interview here:

Understanding the Structure and Resilience of Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles - Orion Policy Institute Editor’s Note: This policy brief is Part II of an Orion Policy Institute (OPI) Transnational Crime Project (OPI-TCP) series and culminating report examining

“Ultimately, #CDS is more accurately described as a system of corruption rather than the organized criminal network it was labeled by the U.S.” writes Rafaella Lipschitz for Orion Policy Institute, in her latest article on the Cartel de los Soles in #Venezuela.

As tensions boiled over last weekend, I sat down with Al Ghad TV to share my thoughts on the war with #Iran.

I spoke with Al Arabiya over the weekend about the ongoing war with #Iran.

I spoke with Al Hadath over the weekend about the ongoing war with #Iran, which continues to escalate with no clear off-ramp in sight.

Powerful cartel unleashes wave of violence across Mexico after its leader's killing Sunday's killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho," triggered roadblocks and unrest across western Mexico.

#Mexican forces carried out an operation to capture cartel kingpin Oseguera Cervantes, who passed shortly after. In response, the #CJNG launched a wave of violence throughout the country. While the US provided intelligence support, the operation was fully Mexican.

Crime Beat Conversations: Mexican Cartel Splits and Alliances, Featuring Stefano Ritondale In this episode of Crime Beat Conversations, Rafaella Lipschitz sat down with Stefano Ritondale again, to discuss the dynamics of the Sinaloa cartel civil wa...

For the latest episode of Crime Beat Conversations, part of the New Lines Institute’s Crime-Conflict Nexus portfolio, Rafaella Lipschitz met with Stefano Ritondale to discuss the #Sinaloa cartel civil war and how it’s reshaping our understanding of cartel alliances.

Crime Beat Conversations: Mexican Cartel Splits and Alliances, Featuring Stefano Ritondale In this episode of Crime Beat Conversations, Rafaella Lipschitz sat down with Stefano Ritondale again, to discuss the dynamics of the Sinaloa cartel civil wa...

For the latest episode of Crime Beat Conversations, part of the New Lines Institute’s Crime-Conflict Nexus portfolio, Rafaella Lipschitz met with Stefano Ritondale to discuss the #Sinaloa cartel civil war and how it’s reshaping our understanding of cartel alliances.

Trump puts Iran’s leader in double bind: Capitulation or risk of war Iran’s supreme leader is facing one of the most consequential decisions of his more than 30 years in power this week: strike a deal with President Trump to severely limit the country’s …

#Iran’s supreme leader stands at a precipice. On one hand, he stands to lose many things in capitulation. On the other, the US and #Israel appear poised for all out war, one in which he stands to lose far more than his ballistic missile program.

I spoke with Asharq News this week to discuss the potential for #Iran deal. As the US and regional powers in the Middle East continue to saber-rattle, a deal may be more necessary than ever.

A growing international coalition is calling for direct support to the #Lebanese army. Following a meeting in #Cairo, Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty praised the Lebanese army’s efforts and effectiveness, and called for further support in their campaign.

The dangers of placing Sudan under the Board of Peace's remit The transfer of sovereign decision-making to external management structures would inevitably cater to the interests of contributors rather than the Sudanese people

The “Board of Peace” wants to bring #Sudan under its purview, but an expanded scope for the organization may have unintended consequences. The proposal, by nature, shifts sovereignty from a nation to a “management” organization, a deeply controversial idea.

With a Kingpin’s Death, Mexico Crosses a Cartel Red Line  - New Lines Institute On Feb. 22, the Mexican army killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” in Tapalpa, Jalisco. A widespread wave of...

In a strategy standard to the “War on Drugs,” #Mexican armed forces killed the leader of #CJNG, provoking widespread cartel violence. For her latest piece at the New Lines Institute, Rafaella Lipschitz explores this “kingpin strategy” and its efficacy.

Will Trump withdraw US troops from Iraq and Syria? While Trump's rhetoric doesn't always match his actions, there are more signs than not that the US will draw down its forces in the region, leaving room for other actors to step in

The US military withdrawal from #Syria has begun. The exit has long been a policy point for the #Trump administration, a key supporter of the country’s young government. Re-upping a piece I wrote for Al Majalla Magazine, where I examine the imperatives behind Trump's desire to withdraw.

Last week, I spoke with Syria TV about the recent #US-#Iran negotiations, which have progressed in spite of continued escalation.

16 Held in Kuwait Drug Raids, Meth, Hashish, Captagon Seized 16 Held in Kuwait Drug Raids, Meth, Hashish, Captagon Seized

As part of a recent crackdown on drug trafficking in #Kuwait, authorities conducted a series of raids that resulted in the arrest of 16 narcotics traffickers of varying nationalities. Among the sizable list of drugs seized were 5000 #captagon tablets.

I sat down with Al Ghad TV last week to talk about US imperatives in the Middle East and how the #Trump administration has been wielding its new Peace Board.

US forces complete withdrawal from strategic al-Tanf Garrison in Syria The U.S. military has completed its withdrawal from al-Tanf Garrison in southern Syria, handing over control to government forces.

I spoke with Fox News about last week’s US withdrawal from al-Tanf military base in #Syria. As one of the most strategically located garrisons in the fight against #ISIS, US withdrawal speaks volumes to the perceived threat level of the group.

Exodus of ISIL-linked detainees from Syria camp sparks security concerns The al-Hol camp population is reported to have dropped by thousands after SDF's chaotic handover to Syrian government.

Mismanagement of the al-Hol detention camp in Syria has led to a flood of #ISIS-linked detainees fleeing the camp. I spoke with Al-Jazeera about the ramifications and what the Syrian government stands to lose by failing to address the problem.

The Trump administration has achieved its goal of beginning US military withdrawals from #Syria and #Iraq, though an uneasy future may force the US to adjust course. I was recently interviewed for Forbes to discuss the withdrawals and what next steps may be.

With tensions between the Syrian government and the #SDF dissipating, the US is officially withdrawing all troops from #Syria. The withdrawal will reportedly unfold over the next two months, but the decision comes after weeks of signaling from the Trump administration.

The U.S. is Moving Quickly to Leave Syria  - New Lines Institute Syria’s security and political landscape has experienced monumental shifts in the past two weeks. Following clashes between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Army, the administration...

With the tentative #SDF-Damascus deal in Syria, the U.S. is seeking to withdraw and transfer its counter-#ISIS security commitments to the new administration and its new armed forces.

However, several obstacles deeply embedded within Syria's postwar security landscape stand in its way.

Why is the issue of Syrian prisoner repatriation from Lebanon complicated? The repatriation of Syrian prisoners from Lebanon comes with political baggage for both Syrians and Lebanese.

#Lebanon and #Syria reached a deal this week to repatriate 300 prisoners of Syrian origin who have been held in Lebanon. The release of inmates has been a priority for the new Syrian government, though around 2400 Syrians are still held prisoner in Lebanon.

I spoke with Asharq News this week about the recent talks between the US and #Iran. The talks came as tensions between the two countries were beginning to escalate to a worrying level, though the final takeaways are still unknown with more talks scheduled this week.

Türkiye signals imminent deal with Saudi Arabia on Kaan fighter jet Negotiations with Saudi Arabia on potential cooperation in Türkiye's homegrown fifth-generation stealth fighter jet program have reached the 'highest...

Regional powers have demonstrated clear interest towards investment in the #Turkish fighter jet program and its fifth generation stealth fighter, #Kaan. While no final deal has been reached yet, #Turkey and #SaudiArabia joint investment in the program is likely.

Indonesia is reportedly earmarking 8,000 troops for the proposed multinational peacekeeping force in #Gaza. While no terms have been confirmed yet, the troop commitment is related to Indonesia’s bid to join the Trump administration’s “Board of Peace”.